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Emerald Ballad #4
Sons of an Ancient Glory
Morgan Fitgerald, Michael and Sara Burke, and Evan and Nora Whitaker try to build a new life in the United States
396 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
About the author
B.J. Hoff
51 books149 followersBJ Hoff’s writing is known for her historical settings, her unforgettable characters, and her lyrical prose. She is the bestselling author of numerous historical fiction series, including the Riverhaven Years, the Mountain Song Legacy, the Song of Erin saga, the American Anthem series, An Emerald Ballad series, and her newest book Harp on the Willow.
Her five-volume Emerald Ballad series was the first major work of fiction to bring the Irish immigration experience to the CBA marketplace, and the work that first brought BJ an international reading audience.
Her readers know they can expect to meet some memorable people in her novels and also know that many of those people will be immigrants; Irish immigrants particularly but not exclusively.
BJ admits to a passion for building worlds. Whether her characters move about in small country towns or metropolitan areas, reside in Amish settlements, secluded mansions, or coal company houses, she creates communities where people can form relationships, raise families, pursue their faith, and experience the mountains and valleys of life.
She’s intent on making her historical novels relevant to the present by developing characters and settings that, while staying true to the history and culture of their times, reflect many of the spiritual trials and social problems faced by contemporary readers. Her novels are meant to be stories that build a bridge from the past to the present.
Her literary awards include the Christianity Today’s Critics Choice Book Award for fiction; a Gold Medallion Award finalist; and a number of Excellence in Media Silver Angel awards. Her books have been translated into many foreign languages, and she frequently hears from her international readers in countries such as Ireland, England, Norway, and Germany.
A former church music director and music teacher, BJ writes from her home in a small town in east central Ohio. She and her husband share a love of music, books, and time spent with their family: two daughters and three lively young grandsons.
Her five-volume Emerald Ballad series was the first major work of fiction to bring the Irish immigration experience to the CBA marketplace, and the work that first brought BJ an international reading audience.
Her readers know they can expect to meet some memorable people in her novels and also know that many of those people will be immigrants; Irish immigrants particularly but not exclusively.
BJ admits to a passion for building worlds. Whether her characters move about in small country towns or metropolitan areas, reside in Amish settlements, secluded mansions, or coal company houses, she creates communities where people can form relationships, raise families, pursue their faith, and experience the mountains and valleys of life.
She’s intent on making her historical novels relevant to the present by developing characters and settings that, while staying true to the history and culture of their times, reflect many of the spiritual trials and social problems faced by contemporary readers. Her novels are meant to be stories that build a bridge from the past to the present.
Her literary awards include the Christianity Today’s Critics Choice Book Award for fiction; a Gold Medallion Award finalist; and a number of Excellence in Media Silver Angel awards. Her books have been translated into many foreign languages, and she frequently hears from her international readers in countries such as Ireland, England, Norway, and Germany.
A former church music director and music teacher, BJ writes from her home in a small town in east central Ohio. She and her husband share a love of music, books, and time spent with their family: two daughters and three lively young grandsons.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 14, 2011
I'm getting to a point where I'm really ready for this series to be over. Attention held through the last book, but this one was a little more difficult to focus on.
I think another thing that makes "Song of the Silent Harp" as good as it is is that the character list isn't so bloated. By the time we get to book four, we have 10,000,000 new characters to keep up with, some of whom just, honestly, seem extraneous. Why Quinn? Why does everyone who comes in contact with the other characters of this book seem to have A Past They Are Hiding? Getting a little old. Quinn is a cardboard character anyway, it strikes me. Just rehashing the same old issues of sin and i'm-not-good-enough-for-God that Hoff has already dealt with in many of the other characters.
I think she would have done well to skip Quinn and spent more time developing some of the original cast.
That's just me.
Four down, one to go. I'll be ready for a BJ Break at that point.
But, it IS good entertainment if nothing else.
I think another thing that makes "Song of the Silent Harp" as good as it is is that the character list isn't so bloated. By the time we get to book four, we have 10,000,000 new characters to keep up with, some of whom just, honestly, seem extraneous. Why Quinn? Why does everyone who comes in contact with the other characters of this book seem to have A Past They Are Hiding? Getting a little old. Quinn is a cardboard character anyway, it strikes me. Just rehashing the same old issues of sin and i'm-not-good-enough-for-God that Hoff has already dealt with in many of the other characters.
I think she would have done well to skip Quinn and spent more time developing some of the original cast.
That's just me.
Four down, one to go. I'll be ready for a BJ Break at that point.
But, it IS good entertainment if nothing else.
December 11, 2015
UGH! This series will be the death of me. It's just good enough for me to want to finish but not exactly relish the experience of actually reading the book. There are some good points like the attention to historical detail but the characters tend to be a bit flat. They are ALL idyllic God-fearing people trying to make their way in the world. Don't get me wrong these are the people you want to befriend but they also make the story a little bland. Give me a decent villain or a doubting Thomas or SOMEONE who understands sarcasm!! Plus everyone seems to be either ecstatically happy or completely depressed with no middle ground. Only one more book to go before I finish this series and quite frankly I'm a little relieved.
December 28, 2020
I cannot express how much I loved reading this book, nor all of the different things that made love this book. Of course I've bonded with every one of these characters in the previous three books, so that's a big reason. Another huge reason, though, is the interaction between all the different ethnicities. I adore how B.J. Hoff includes so many different types of people, not just Irish. This time, Hoff includes the Gypsies, and oh ... people have different opinions, but I love them all. <3
Setting: Aside from the prologue (which is set in Killala, Western Ireland in 1801), the book begins on May 10, 1849, in Brooklyn, New York. The location switches from New York City to Dublin, Ireland throughout the book, but the two places' stories are connected in many ways. Five Points, in New York, is often the setting, as a few characters are residents. The wealthy and poor sections of the city are clearly delineated, and in Dublin the divisions are also clearly shown (rather than told). And, as always, the historical setting is excellently done--I was immersed for most of the book (the only outlier was when I wondered whether "Teddy" as a nickname for Theodore was historically accurate).
Characters: This section will no doubt be long, because there are a lot of characters. And I love them all. To put it simply, this book could have been 400 pages of Michael Burke putting on his socks and shoes, and it still would have earned five stars from me.
Michael doesn't really have a plot line in this one, but he is still present and he is still as adorable, practical, fearsome, and protective as ever. Oh, and he's still an Irish policeman. So still perfection. There are some hints of future conflict, but nothing so much that needed to be resolved by the end of this book. Sara is still a beautiful helpmate, and balances Michael wonderfully. And their relationship is likewise adorable.
Morgan Fitzgerald is the focus of this book plot-wise. While he's not Michael Burke (that is a high standard), he is an amazing character in his own right. B.J. Hoff is stellar at portraying his character as weak and yet strong. A seeming contradiction, and yet Hoff never makes him do anything contrary to his character. His relationship with Finola is 100% beautiful, and I love how it progressed and climaxed. The number of his household is perfect: not too many to keep track of, but enough so that one person doesn't have to be involved in every plot point. There's Annie, who's not that amazing by herself, but she's a perfect addition. Finola is the sweetest timid woman; I would much rather read about a woman of her character than what people call "strong women." But she is strong in her own right, and her love for Morgan is the strongest part about her. The other members of Morgan's household, Sandemon and Sister Louisa, are likewise essential, and they actually have some similarities despite their stark differences. I really liked how Sandemon's view of the Gypsies is portrayed--and actually how the Gypsies are portrayed in general.
I love Tierney so much. I don't think I've ever loved a character so much who is portrayed basically bad. But it's a funny example of loving others because they're special to the one you love: he's Michael Burke's son, therefore I love him because Michael loves him. I really liked his character arc--it isn't rushed, even though it isn't quite complete. And then there's Jan Martova, who is just a perfect addition to the cast of characters. He gives the reader the ability to learn more about Gypsy life--good and bad.
I can't refrain from mentioning Evan and Nora, plus Winnie, Lewis, Tom, and Johanna. Still quite precious--especially Evan--although I do feel bad for Nora. Evan's heart for the children is amazing, and his decision is foreshadowed excellently--nothing is given away prematurely, but the seed is planted. The highlighted story of Billy Hogan is quite touching, and made me love a couple certain Irish policemen even more.
There is also Quinn O'Shea, who's not bad, but as she's a new character I didn't bond immediately. She doesn't take up a whole lot of the book, though, and she's around my other favorite characters, so the story never lags.
Plot: There are quite a few different plot lines--in Dublin, Morgan Fitzgerald struggles with handling Tierney and the romance with Finola. There are plenty of short troubles that are directly related to these major conflicts, and everything flows smoothly. The main resolution to Morgan's problems is so beautiful, and they're tied together in an amazing way. In New York, we have children with terrible living conditions--which are all at least temporarily resolved--dying people, dealing with guilt, and more long-term troubles that can't be wrapped up in nice bows. There is plenty of heartache, but enough of a happy ending to give the reader hope.
Faith content: Morgan Fitzgerald. His whole household. Goodness, what a personification of struggling against God's commands. And showing the blessings when they do obey. For that matter, how awesome is Evan Whittaker's faith? That's 100% the perspective that I need personally, actually. So thanks, Evan, for being perfect. God really is at the center of this book. God, the creator all of these different ethnicities and nationalities. He makes us all brother and sister.
I really can't say enough good about this book.
Setting: Aside from the prologue (which is set in Killala, Western Ireland in 1801), the book begins on May 10, 1849, in Brooklyn, New York. The location switches from New York City to Dublin, Ireland throughout the book, but the two places' stories are connected in many ways. Five Points, in New York, is often the setting, as a few characters are residents. The wealthy and poor sections of the city are clearly delineated, and in Dublin the divisions are also clearly shown (rather than told). And, as always, the historical setting is excellently done--I was immersed for most of the book (the only outlier was when I wondered whether "Teddy" as a nickname for Theodore was historically accurate).
Characters: This section will no doubt be long, because there are a lot of characters. And I love them all. To put it simply, this book could have been 400 pages of Michael Burke putting on his socks and shoes, and it still would have earned five stars from me.
Michael doesn't really have a plot line in this one, but he is still present and he is still as adorable, practical, fearsome, and protective as ever. Oh, and he's still an Irish policeman. So still perfection. There are some hints of future conflict, but nothing so much that needed to be resolved by the end of this book. Sara is still a beautiful helpmate, and balances Michael wonderfully. And their relationship is likewise adorable.
Morgan Fitzgerald is the focus of this book plot-wise. While he's not Michael Burke (that is a high standard), he is an amazing character in his own right. B.J. Hoff is stellar at portraying his character as weak and yet strong. A seeming contradiction, and yet Hoff never makes him do anything contrary to his character. His relationship with Finola is 100% beautiful, and I love how it progressed and climaxed. The number of his household is perfect: not too many to keep track of, but enough so that one person doesn't have to be involved in every plot point. There's Annie, who's not that amazing by herself, but she's a perfect addition. Finola is the sweetest timid woman; I would much rather read about a woman of her character than what people call "strong women." But she is strong in her own right, and her love for Morgan is the strongest part about her. The other members of Morgan's household, Sandemon and Sister Louisa, are likewise essential, and they actually have some similarities despite their stark differences. I really liked how Sandemon's view of the Gypsies is portrayed--and actually how the Gypsies are portrayed in general.
I love Tierney so much. I don't think I've ever loved a character so much who is portrayed basically bad. But it's a funny example of loving others because they're special to the one you love: he's Michael Burke's son, therefore I love him because Michael loves him. I really liked his character arc--it isn't rushed, even though it isn't quite complete. And then there's Jan Martova, who is just a perfect addition to the cast of characters. He gives the reader the ability to learn more about Gypsy life--good and bad.
I can't refrain from mentioning Evan and Nora, plus Winnie, Lewis, Tom, and Johanna. Still quite precious--especially Evan--although I do feel bad for Nora. Evan's heart for the children is amazing, and his decision is foreshadowed excellently--nothing is given away prematurely, but the seed is planted. The highlighted story of Billy Hogan is quite touching, and made me love a couple certain Irish policemen even more.
There is also Quinn O'Shea, who's not bad, but as she's a new character I didn't bond immediately. She doesn't take up a whole lot of the book, though, and she's around my other favorite characters, so the story never lags.
Plot: There are quite a few different plot lines--in Dublin, Morgan Fitzgerald struggles with handling Tierney and the romance with Finola. There are plenty of short troubles that are directly related to these major conflicts, and everything flows smoothly. The main resolution to Morgan's problems is so beautiful, and they're tied together in an amazing way. In New York, we have children with terrible living conditions--which are all at least temporarily resolved--dying people, dealing with guilt, and more long-term troubles that can't be wrapped up in nice bows. There is plenty of heartache, but enough of a happy ending to give the reader hope.
Faith content: Morgan Fitzgerald. His whole household. Goodness, what a personification of struggling against God's commands. And showing the blessings when they do obey. For that matter, how awesome is Evan Whittaker's faith? That's 100% the perspective that I need personally, actually. So thanks, Evan, for being perfect. God really is at the center of this book. God, the creator all of these different ethnicities and nationalities. He makes us all brother and sister.
I really can't say enough good about this book.
April 15, 2023
This series is awesome!! Right from the start there is tragedy that happens in New York and in Ireland. Pulls at your heartstrings right from the start. But then there is the birth of the two babies and there is some joy in abundance. But as I read about the ups and downs of those that live in New York, I can't help but think how awful the situation is in Five Points for all those children. Those that are abused and those that have no home who roam the streets. It made me very sad to read about Billy Hogan. A tender sweet moment when he is found by Evan in the coal cellar. Sadly, America still has places like Five Points all across the country. Evan is stretched to the limit worrying about Nora and her health. When the doctor tells Evan Nora has a heart problem, it is almost to his undoing. But all is not lost. They hope to convince Nora to see a specialist and to get full-time help. Johanna's breakthrough was so touching - terrible accident but she conquered her fear of Teddy. In Ireland, things are desperate when Sandemon has to go to the Gypsy wagon to care for Tierney and Jan because they have cholera and Morgan does not want to infect the whole house. But with Sandemon gone, Finola steps in to help Morgan with the things he cannot do. Finally, their love for each other is revealed and it is a tender sweet moment when they finally come together as one. This story is so well written - the author just draws you into the story. I found that I had a hard time putting it down because I wanted to read just one more chapter, and then just one more chapter. Looking forward to the final book!
September 26, 2017
Another great story by B.J. Hoff continuing the stories of three friends from Ireland, Nora Whittaker, Morgan Fitzgerald, and Michael Burke. While there was a lot of pain and poverty, there was also love and Heavenly riches to be had. I can't wait to read the final installment of An Emerald Ballad series.
We find Nora having health problems, but there is hope in sight. Morgan building his life with Finola and Annie, and Michael Burke missing his son Tierney, whose gone off to Ireland to find himself, and building his life with his new wife Sara. If you read the first three books, you will enjoy this one as well, I'm sure. On to the final book in this series for me.
If you enjoy clean, historical romance with some grit, this is the book/series for you. Enjoy!
I borrowed this book from the library.
We find Nora having health problems, but there is hope in sight. Morgan building his life with Finola and Annie, and Michael Burke missing his son Tierney, whose gone off to Ireland to find himself, and building his life with his new wife Sara. If you read the first three books, you will enjoy this one as well, I'm sure. On to the final book in this series for me.
If you enjoy clean, historical romance with some grit, this is the book/series for you. Enjoy!
I borrowed this book from the library.
January 13, 2020
Another excellent continuation of the story from books 1-3. I have a new appreciation for all the immigrants of the 1800’s had to go through to build a new life in the US. I’ll be sad to finish book 5 as I love the characters in this series.
February 18, 2022
Fourth book continuing the epic series: The Emerald Ballad. When I was reading the 1st book of the series I didn't think I would continue. It was depressing to me. However I'm glad I persevered and can't wait to read the final book, #5.
January 3, 2025
Finished this fourth book in the series of “An Emerald Ballad”.
I love when Morgan pulls out his harp.
And the element of the gypsy clan, brings more historical nuggets.
I’m opening the pages of the final/fifth book tonight.
I love when Morgan pulls out his harp.
And the element of the gypsy clan, brings more historical nuggets.
I’m opening the pages of the final/fifth book tonight.
March 24, 2019
One of my favorite books by BJ Hoff.
August 27, 2019
The Saga continues
This book along with the other 3 in the series just keep me wanting more. I'm moving on to book 5 with great anticipation.
This book along with the other 3 in the series just keep me wanting more. I'm moving on to book 5 with great anticipation.
July 16, 2022
Continues to be a wonderful saga of Irish folk and all those they encounter! Beautiful story and fascinating characters. On to the finale!
June 30, 2020
Enjoyed the Emerald Ballad series.
July 26, 2011
The Fitzgerald, Whittaker and Burke families return in Book 4 of The Emerald Ballad series, along with some new additions. Tierney has gone to Ireland to see Morgan and, true to form, finds trouble. Morgan and Evan await the births of their children even as tragedy strikes and a young one is lost. With the additions of Quinn and Billy especially, the story broadens and deepens. It is a story about the strength of people who are undeterred in the face of adversity and who find those reserves of faith when everything seems bleak. BJ Hoff has a remarkable way of showing us that God really does know his children individually.
Full of Irish history and with steadfast, unforgettable characters, epic is the perfect word to describe this series. I am anxious to read the last book, and to find out what happens to everyone.
Full of Irish history and with steadfast, unforgettable characters, epic is the perfect word to describe this series. I am anxious to read the last book, and to find out what happens to everyone.
February 9, 2017
Another job well done! So much tragedy, but yet the grace of God prevails.
March 16, 2014
Good enough to keep reading until the end, but slow and redundant enough to sorta breeze through some parts (like where she follows Evan's thought process around yet another Nora problem, then Sara, then Michael). I had some characters I wanted to read more of and others (Evan/Nora) that I was just ready to finish.
September 20, 2014
Best one yet of the series. I can't wait for the finale. This series has been a true treasure.
true history the love and compassion of Jesus through every page every word.
from the 1st page from book 1 to the last page of book 4 the finale book 5 be quite an thunderous lovingly end I'm sure.
true history the love and compassion of Jesus through every page every word.
from the 1st page from book 1 to the last page of book 4 the finale book 5 be quite an thunderous lovingly end I'm sure.
September 23, 2014
I love this series. The events that take place in each book is always unexpected and keeps you on your toes. I would recommend these books to anyone that likes to read realistic or historical fiction.
November 23, 2008
This is my favorite book in the series, hands down. The blossoming love between Morgan and Finola is beautiful. :)
February 11, 2012
This series is awesome. The bittersweet saga is full of Christian faith, love, and the idea of where home lies. The characters are fully drawn and are mostly likable, and the plots are amazing.
March 31, 2012
Breathtaking! Excited to read the conclusion of the series.
January 2, 2012
...and the story continues. Good story of historical romance, faith and perserverance.
May 17, 2013
This book is the forth in a series. It is beauifully written and masterfully sketched. B J Hoff has an addictive quality in her writing. I couldn't stop reading this series!
June 25, 2015
this was an excellent book. I really enjoyed it. As it drew near the end, it really grabbed me and pulled me in. can't wait to read the last one.
August 31, 2015
so much to do! But this book took precedence! Very interesting!
September 12, 2015
Loved this series. One of the series that made me fall in love with historical fiction.
December 27, 2010
great continuation of Irish series
May 3, 2017
Love and Heritage Meet
This book gives the reader a look into the hearts the Irish immigrants to American in the 1850's. The clear pictures of the trials and tribulations of freedom seekers makes one feel as if they lived the lives. Adventure and mystery keeps one reading to the end.
This book gives the reader a look into the hearts the Irish immigrants to American in the 1850's. The clear pictures of the trials and tribulations of freedom seekers makes one feel as if they lived the lives. Adventure and mystery keeps one reading to the end.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews